HATTIESBURG, Mississippi - Another round of rain and thunderstorms is expected to complicate efforts to clean up parts of southern Mississippi after a tornado roared through the area two days ago.

The nasty weather is expected to continue through Tuesday. A day earlier, residents tried to cut trees and branches with chain saws and hang tarps across holes where shingles were ripped from structures. But rain and flooding complicated efforts, and some simply carried armfuls of belongings, trying to find dry ground.

Officials say the human toll could have been much worse, but the nature of the storm allowed forecasters to give people ample warning. Furthermore, the University of Southern Mississippi was emptier than usual because of Mardi Gras. And most businesses were either closed or quieter than normal because it was Sunday.